Tweet
State and federal officials prepare for bird flu outbreak
ST. LOUIS -- One thing is clear, if a flu pandemic hits Missouri, the state won't be able to depend on the federal government to swoop in and fix the problem.
"It is so critical that on every level, every individual becomes prepared," Alex Azar, deputy director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday at a statewide conference hosted by Saint Louis University. About 350 people attended the event, which was aimed at preparing state health professionals and business leaders for a possible flu pandemic.
Azar also signed an agreement with Gov. Matt Blunt that will give Missouri $1.8 million to help plan for a flu outbreak. The agreement calls for the state and federal health officials to examine the state's planned response to a pandemic and improve it where necessary.
The issue of a flu preparedness has become increasingly important with the spread of a new strain of avian flu that has been shown to infect small numbers of humans. Public officials worry the virus might mutate, infecting and possibly killing millions of people worldwide in a repeat of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
"We know that pandemics happen with reoccurrence. We're overdue," said Bruce Gellin, director of the U.S. National Vaccine Program Office.
"One of the key messages of a summit like this is that it's not just about public health professionals being prepared," Azar said, adding that businesses and individuals will need their own response plan. He noted that his family keeps a two-week supply of food and water in their basement.
To fund federal pandemic planning, President Bush asked Congress for $7.1 billion in emergency money, and was granted the full first year funding of $3.8 billion, Azar said.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that businesses might lose as much as 40 percent of their work force if there is pandemic, as employees take sick leave or stay home to avoid infection.
Blunt said a crucial goal of the conference was to educate Missouri corporations on dealing with the repercussions of an outbreak.
That's what drew Norma Browne to attend. As a security employee of the utility company Ameren Corp., she's involved in keeping the electricity provider up and running in times of emergency.
"Any business that's here is probably here from a business continuity standpoint," Browne said. "Obviously, it would affect our employees and their families."
Missouri public officials are also learning about the best ways to respond, said Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Eckstein said the state already has a command center for handling a flu outbreak that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven day a week. The center monitors emergency room traffic in Missouri and bordering states to try and identify a pandemic in its early stages. The state would also help in distributing vaccines, she said.
"It's not the kind of situation where volunteers will be rushing to be part of this," Eckstein said.
ST. LOUIS -- One thing is clear, if a flu pandemic hits Missouri, the state won't be able to depend on the federal government to swoop in and fix the problem.
"It is so critical that on every level, every individual becomes prepared," Alex Azar, deputy director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday at a statewide conference hosted by Saint Louis University. About 350 people attended the event, which was aimed at preparing state health professionals and business leaders for a possible flu pandemic.
Azar also signed an agreement with Gov. Matt Blunt that will give Missouri $1.8 million to help plan for a flu outbreak. The agreement calls for the state and federal health officials to examine the state's planned response to a pandemic and improve it where necessary.
The issue of a flu preparedness has become increasingly important with the spread of a new strain of avian flu that has been shown to infect small numbers of humans. Public officials worry the virus might mutate, infecting and possibly killing millions of people worldwide in a repeat of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
"We know that pandemics happen with reoccurrence. We're overdue," said Bruce Gellin, director of the U.S. National Vaccine Program Office.
"One of the key messages of a summit like this is that it's not just about public health professionals being prepared," Azar said, adding that businesses and individuals will need their own response plan. He noted that his family keeps a two-week supply of food and water in their basement.
To fund federal pandemic planning, President Bush asked Congress for $7.1 billion in emergency money, and was granted the full first year funding of $3.8 billion, Azar said.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that businesses might lose as much as 40 percent of their work force if there is pandemic, as employees take sick leave or stay home to avoid infection.
Blunt said a crucial goal of the conference was to educate Missouri corporations on dealing with the repercussions of an outbreak.
That's what drew Norma Browne to attend. As a security employee of the utility company Ameren Corp., she's involved in keeping the electricity provider up and running in times of emergency.
"Any business that's here is probably here from a business continuity standpoint," Browne said. "Obviously, it would affect our employees and their families."
Missouri public officials are also learning about the best ways to respond, said Julie Eckstein, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Eckstein said the state already has a command center for handling a flu outbreak that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven day a week. The center monitors emergency room traffic in Missouri and bordering states to try and identify a pandemic in its early stages. The state would also help in distributing vaccines, she said.
"It's not the kind of situation where volunteers will be rushing to be part of this," Eckstein said.